Cassie stared off into space and began. “The very first object I validated was a bowl that belonged to the Oracle of Delphi. When I connected with her spirit, I found her sitting underground in a cave and she was breathing some fumes that put her into a trance. Faye told me that the place I saw in my vision was called the Oracle Chamber. It was once the mythological home of a giant female python who was the daughter of the earth goddess. She protected the omphalos stone at the center of the earth and also the priestess who made her prophecies in the chamber. The python and the priestess served the goddess there for thousands of years until the overlord god Apollo killed the snake and took over the shrine. He couldn’t get rid of the priestess though because the people would have rebelled. So, she continued to foretell the future in the Oracle Chamber and, because of the snake who used to guard her, she was always called a Pythoness.”
“Or as we know her today, a pythia,” Griffin added.
Cassie nodded solemnly, still gazing off into the distance. “It all survived,” she whispered, half to herself. ‘Over seventy thousand years. The python, the priestess, and the secret chamber.”
“Yes, I see what you mean,” Griffin agreed eagerly. “It’s remarkable when one considers the temporal and geographic distances involved, that a ritual originating in Africa seventy thousand years ago should manage to find its way, almost intact, to classical Greece.”
“It seems to me,” Bobbye chimed in, “that the combination of the python, the priestess, and the secret chamber must be so deeply ingrained in our collective unconscious that nothing could dislodge it. Not time, not distance, and not even the encroachment of overlord mythology.”
“Like Cass said,” Erik added. “What happened in this place is beyond ancient.”
Cassie shook herself out of her reverie and gazed at her colleagues. “It’s something more than just an archetype or just ancient. When I validated the Python Stone, I did something a lot more important—to me anyway.”
They all gave her a puzzled look.
She beamed back at them. “I think I came face to face with my psychic ancestor—the first pythia.”
Chapter 11—Tea and Rookies
Faye watched as the waitress poured her cup of tea and set the pot down on the table along with a platter of small cakes, assorted cookies, and crustless sandwiches.
The old woman sighed and consulted the clock on the wall. 3:30. He was late. As she took her first sip of the steaming beverage, the door to the cafe swung open to let in a cold blast of early spring air and Zachary along with it.
Faye’s descendent headed straight for her table and threw his backpack on the floor beside his chair. “Hey, Gamma, how’s it going?”
He sat down and without ceremony began piling an empty snack plate with pastries.
Faye poured him a cup of tea. “This will help warm you up,” she suggested.
“Thanks.” He consumed half a cup at one gulp.
The old woman witnessed his gustatory performance in silence for a few moments. With an amused smile, she remarked, “I believe there are starving children in India who would wolf down their food less quickly.”
Zachary stopped in mid-bite. He swallowed hard. “Sorry, Gamma, but I haven’t eaten since lunch.”
“No food for an entire three hours? Well, I suppose you’re still a growing boy.” She chuckled indulgently. “Please do chew your food more thoroughly, dear. It aids digestion.”
The boy’s ravenous appetite slowed once he finished his second helping. Shifting his attention to his ancestor, he exclaimed, “Wow, Gamma, you clean up really nice!”
“Clean up?”
“I... uh... I... That’s a compliment. I never get to see you all dressed up.”
The old woman adjusted the rhinestone brooch on her jacket. “I don’t often get the opportunity to show off my good clothes. Thank you for noticing. I feel it’s important to look one’s best in public.”
Zach’s restless gaze was now scanning the porcelain tea cups, linen tablecloths, and liveried wait staff. “I thought we were just gonna hang out at a fast food restaurant.”
“As you young people would say nowadays, I don’t do fast food.” Faye helped herself to a cucumber sandwich. “A meal is meant to be tasted and savored, not inhaled.” Her eyes surveyed the cafe. “I think high tea is a most civilized way to conduct a conversation.” She noted that the other patrons were all engrossed in their own affairs. So much the better.
Focusing on her descendent, she asked, “I assume you wanted to meet away from my home in order to discuss something about Hannah?”
Zach blushed at the unexpected mention of the girl’s name. “No, not exactly.” He dusted crumbs off his mouth. “I wanted to talk about some other stuff too.”
“Such as?” The old woman leaned back in her chair.
Zach peeked furtively at the other diners. “About your side business.”
There was a mischievous gleam in Faye’s eye when she asked, “What side business would that be, dear?”
“You know.” He leaned forward and dipped his head slightly. “Your ‘people.’” He made air quotes around the word “people.”
“I suppose I did promise to give you some information about my group.”
“Hey, I held up my end of the bargain. I’ve been tutoring Hannah all winter. Not that I mind.” Both his arms flew up in the air in protest. “But you did say you’d throw me a bone.”
“I’m sure I said no such thing,” Faye protested good-humoredly.
“Well, maybe not exactly in those words but you get the idea. C’mon, Gamma!” he wheedled.
“Alright, alright.” Faye lowered her voice. “I will answer three questions today and three questions only.”
“Great!” Zach exclaimed eagerly. “Let’s start small since I already know you aren’t gonna give me the whole scoop up front.”
“Very wise of you,” Faye agreed. She poured them both another cup of tea while the boy considered his first question.
When he began to speak, his tone was pensive.
